http://www.cnn.com/2015/09/24/middleeast/stampede-hajj-pilgrimage/

 

This article is about the stampede in Saudi Arabia that killed over 700 people. The title is “Stampede kills more than 700 at Hajj pilgrimage in Mecca.” The article came from cnn.com. A stampede took place during one of the last rituals of the Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca, killing at least 700 and injuring almost a thousand more, at the latest count. The ritual the Muslims were performing before they began to trample each other is known as “stoning the devil.” This is not the first time large amounts of people have died during this ceremony; in 1990, another stampede killed 1,426, and only 13 days ago a crane collapsed and killed over 100 at the Islamic Grand Mosque in Mecca. Pilgrims were walking to the pillars to perform the ritual when the crowd surged, causing many people to fall down. It is unknown what caused the crowd surge. When i woke up this morning, the death toll was only around 100. Now, it is over 700. This event demonstrates how dangerous crowds can be, and how easy it is to be trampled when people start to panic. This event makes me apprehensive about going places where there are large crowds that might turn into stampedes. I already feel claustrophobic when I’m walking in a crowd; now I will be worrying about an event like this happening. This event impacts the world because a large amount of Muslims died during one of their most sacred rituals. Even after the route was made safer after previous deaths, it clearly is still not completely safe. Many Muslims will be dissuaded from participating in this ritual in the future for fear of getting caught in the middle of something like this. Some may be angered at the Saudi government for not ensuring a safer pilgrimage for Muslims.